Read Ebook: The Lindsays by Leys John K John Kirkwood

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Ebook has 1087 lines and 38355 words, and 22 pages

'What on earth do you mean?'

'How can I remember instructions that never were given?'

'They were given, sure enough, and you have forgotten them.'

'They were never given!' shouted Alec, losing his temper.

'You are very dense,' said Beattie, with something like a sneer, throwing himself back on his seat.

'True; I don't understand you,' said Alec haughtily.

Beattie made no reply.

'As you choose, Lindsay,' he said at length. 'But I may point out to you, as a friend, that if your uncle did not tell you to alter the will you are in a very unfortunate position.'

'What do you mean?'

'And to avoid the consequences of my blunder--if I did commit a blunder--I am to invent and swear to a lie,' said Alec, slowly rising to his feet. 'I ought to kick you downstairs; and I would, if I were not as weak as a cat just now. Leave the room, sir.'

'Lindsay, you mistake me altogether,' said Beattie earnestly, also rising to his feet. 'I never meant that you should invent what never happened.'

'It sounded precious like it.'

'I told you before, he never did,' interrupted Alec.

'Then you have made a very nasty blunder, that's all; and one that I am afraid will cost you dear.'

'I don't believe I did. Wasn't it five hundred thousand in the draft?'

'I never saw the draft.'

'Why, I left it on your table to be settled, as you told me to do.'

'I dare say you did; but I have no remembrance of seeing it. Let me think.--That afternoon I was in the Master's chambers till very late, and I was so fagged out that I went and had some dinner before I went back to the office. So, very likely, you sent off the draft thinking I had seen it, when I had not.'

'But haven't you looked for it since, this afternoon, to see what it says?'

'I did look for it, but I couldn't find it.'

'Couldn't find it!' exclaimed Alec, who was getting terribly excited. 'Did you look in my drawers?'

'I looked everywhere,' said Beattie; 'but one of your drawers was locked. Perhaps you put it there.'

'I may have done so, though I don't remember it,' said Alec. 'Unfortunately MacGowan, who engrossed it, has gone. It was his blunder, no doubt; but I ought to have noticed it, of course, for I examined it with him.'

'It is clear that it was in your mind that the legacy had been reduced,' said Beattie; 'for when you read over the will to your uncle you read it "five thousand pounds."'

'I did not!' shouted Alec, starting to his feet a second time. 'Who says so?'

'Your cousin, James Semple, says so.'

'Then he says what is not true!'

'That is very unlikely. But Dr. Mackenzie, who was in the room, declares that you read it "five hundred thousand."'

'And he speaks the truth!'

'Do take care what you say, my dear fellow,' said Beattie, after a pause. 'This is sure to come into the courts in some shape or other. Your cousin will swear to hearing you read "five thousand"--at least, so Mr. Hatchett tells us. How dreadful for you to accuse him of wilful and corrupt perjury! What I believe really happened was this: MacGowan made a mistake in copying the will, and you unfortunately allowed it to pass when you examined it. Then, when you read it, you read mechanically what was before your eyes. You are often a little absent-minded, you know, Lindsay,' he added with a smile.

'Pooh, my dear Lindsay, he heard what he wished and expected to hear. Listen to me. Do you think it likely that if your cousin had heard that after being his uncle's right-hand man all these years he was to have only a share of the residue, worth about ten thousand pounds, he would have submitted without saying a word?'

'No; it is not likely,' said Alec thoughtfully; 'and yet I can't help thinking that it was "five hundred thousand" in the will, and that I read it so.'

'My dear fellow, I do want to impress this upon you--don't be as frank with everyone as you are with me. It might be your ruin.'

'How? What do you mean?'

'This Dr. Mackenzie--what sort of a man is he?'

'He is an arrogant, narrow-minded old ass.'

'Is he the sort of man who would prosecute anyone who had done him an injury?'

'The very man, I should say.'

'Then I think you are in very considerable danger.'

'Danger? Of what? Of course I won't touch a penny of this money, for I know my uncle meant the Free Church to have it.'

'But your cousin doesn't know it. He may not be so ready to give up so large a sum.'

'Does he say so? Have you seen him?'

'What!'

The shout silenced Beattie. The two men sat looking steadily at each other.

'Lindsay,' said Beattie at length, 'is it not better that you should hear the truth from a friend's lips, rather than from an enemy's? Look at the facts. You made an ugly blunder, by which you stand to make a large profit. Giving up the money will only be taken as a confession of guilt. It cannot save you.'

'Quite sure.'

'Well, say so frankly. And say you cannot remember reading the very words, but you have no doubt you read the words that were before you in the will. That is true enough, I suppose?'

'Certainly. And yet I could have sworn it was "five hundred thousand."'

'Then you would have followed up one mistake by another, you see. That is only your opinion. The will speaks for itself.'

'But if Dr. Mackenzie, or any stranger, comes to ask you questions, say not one word--not one word, as you value your reputation. Refer them to me, or to Mr. Hatchett. Say nothing to anybody, either of what you thought were your uncle's intentions, or anything else. It is your only safe course. If the danger passes by, well and good. If it comes to your door, I am ready to stand by you. Can I say more?'

'No. You are very good, Beattie,' said Alec half absently. 'If I have need of anyone to defend me, I am sure the case could not be in better hands than yours.'

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